Sit Rep 2 | September 29, 2024 | 1720 Hours PT

This is not a political disaster but impacts all genders, races, political parties, the rich, the poor, and blue-collar populations, animals, wildlife, first responders, business owners, employees, the disabled, communities near and far from the ocean, water sources and the families who are far away from their loved ones.

However, there is hope for those who stayed behind to the ones who are greatly impacted. Many resources are flooding into the area to help where they can from the skies to the ground.

CONTENT DISCLAIMER

This is a summary of where those resources are responding to, sharing their roles, stories, and what is happening in the various areas.  We are also sharing needs, resources, and other important messaging.

Our content is gleaned from “verified” sources, which include those in Fire, Police, Communications, Humanitarian, and non-profit organizations, to government agencies (Local, County, State, and Federal) to those who are supporting this disaster.

We are using the following hashtags for this incident #HurricaneHeleneDisasterUpdates

FLORIDA

FEMA Disaster Response

VA-TF1 / USAR – Members of this unit went out and conducted primary searches in buildings, checking for damage and victims who may have needed to be injured, rescued, or assisted. 

(L) Photo Credit: VA-TF1

The team has now been reassigned from Treasure Island in Florida to the Carolinas to put their training, experience, and skills to the test.

Wherever they go, we know they are making a difference in the communities they respond to. Thank you for your service, dedication, empathy, saving lives, giving people hope, and to those families closure, and supporting this catastrophic disaster response. (9/28/2024, VA-TF1)

Florida Task Force 2 & FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Taylor County – Both agencies worked together to conduct building searches in the Miami area. (9/29/2024, Miami Fire & Rescue)

Indiana USAR Task Force #1

Treasure Island – The team was assigned to Treasure Island, which is a small barrier off the coast of ST. Petersburg which sustained widespread damage. They were there working in conjunction with other USAR Task Force/Disaster SAR. (9/28/2024, IN USAR TF-1)

Suwannee & Lafayette Counties – The team transitioned from Suwanee County to Lafayette Counties on Saturday, tasked with conducting primary and secondary searches of affected areas around Mayo, Florida.

Texas FEMA USAR Task Forces – Members from multiple FEMA USAR Task Forces based out of the State of Texas are on the ground and working hand-in-hand with those from Indiana, Colorado, and Virginia. They are tasked with searching and assessing structures. (9/28/2024, Texas A&M Task Force 1).

  • TX A&M Task Force 1
  • TX Task Force 2
  • TX Task Force 3

Healthcare Infrastructure

Tampa General Hospital – Tampa is the region’s only Trauma 1 hospital and the AquaFence, a water-tight barrier capable of withstanding up to 15 feet of storm surge, stood strong against the hurricane. They remain open and ready to take care of any incoming patients.              

GEORGIA

FEMA – USAR Disaster Response

Indiana USAR Task Force #1 – The team has completed its objectives in Florida and has now been reassigned to Northern Georgia. (9/29/2024, IN USAR TF1)

MO – TF1 – 26 members with the Missouri Task Force 1 were deployed to help local agencies with a search for a male entrapped inside his house located in Lincoln County.

(L) Photo Credit: BCFPD

They were led in by the Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management. Crews had to use chainsaws just to reach the home. They used search cameras, seismic listening devices K-9 SAR dogs, and entry search techniques. Once they breached the door, they did rescue a male resident but determined to have succumbed to his injuries due to a large tree falling on top of his home. They completed their first assigned welfare check call and returned back into staging shortly thereafter. (9/29/2024, Boone County Fire Protection District)

Communications

Scanner Feed – Rockdale County Sheriff & Fire.  Rockdale County Sheriff and Fire (broadcastify.com)

NORTH CAROLINA

Animal Rescue

Brother Wolf (Animal Shelter) – This shelter has been helping animals since it opened in 2007, but as of today’s post, the organization states things are really bad and they cannot sugarcoat it. They have been completely devastated as an organization. The flooding reached a critical level that no one could have ever imagined. They thought they would have only feet of water to wade through but they were greeted by a river roaring through their buildings and destroying all of their remaining resources, their cars, and having water over the top of their roofs. They are very thankful for their lives and all animals were evacuated just prior to the storm heading in their direction. (9/29/2024, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue)

City of Asheville Updates

Website: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/news/tropical-storm-helene-recovery-resources/

ART Buses – Operations have been suspended until further notice. They successfully were used earlier in the day, which successfully transported 578 individuals to shelters.

Cell Service – The City is partnering with VERIZON to deliver a temp cell satellite trailer to the Family Justice Center at 35 Woodfin Street. This tower will provide an opportunity for limited cell reception within several city blocks of where it is parked. It will be operational beginning late Sunday afternoon, September 29, 2024.

Cell & Wi-Fi – T-Mobile is bringing SatCOLT a satellite cell on light trucks to the City. This will provide Cell service and Wi-Fi (no matter the carrier). Details: https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/hurricane-helene

City Offices – will be closed on Monday, September 30, 2024

Disaster Partnerships – The City of Asheville also encourages community members to monitor other government or service provider websites and social media for their latest information as well.

Buncombe County has established a NON-Emergency line for community reports of things such as downed trees and debris: 828-250-6650. 

Please call 9-1-1 for life-threatening situations including down power lines.

NCDOT Twitter: NCDOT_Asheville for local information or @NCDOT for regional/ statewide information.

General Public Shelter

  • AB Tech – 6 Fernihurst Driv, Asheville, NC 28801 (use Victoria Rd Entrance)

Medical Emergency Shelter

  • AB Tech – 10 Genevieve Circle, Asheville, NC 28801.

Trash & Recycling Services – There will be no trash and/or recycling on Monday, September 30, 2024.

Traffic Safety – Officials are asking for those not to travel but if you have to, please treat all intersections and inactive signals as 4-way stops.

Water Service – The City of Asheville Water Resources Department in Buncombe County is having low-pressure issues and outages in the distribution system due to weather conditions. Periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system, it will increase the potential for back siphonage and the introduction of bacteria into the water system. There is the potential for temporary loss of water service. Therefore, when water service is restored consumers who have electric power are advised to boil all water used for human consumption (including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation). Those without power are advised to use bottled water for the purposes mentioned above. Vigorous boiling for one (1) minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water.  This advisory remains in effect until further written notification is issued. Water customers who currently have water are encouraged to fill bathtubs in the preparedness for loss of water.  (9/29/2024, City of Asheville)

Emergency Management

Missing Person / Welfare Check – If you call NC211 (1-888-892-1162) to report a missing person or request a welfare check, press 1 once you are connected to reach an operator. Have all information available (name, location, health conditions, etc.) to complete a request. Call volumes are high, but operators are processing requests as quickly as possible. (9/29/2024, NC Emergency Management)

USAR Disaster Response

PA – TF1 – 45 members with this USAR deployed and have been working long hours to search for those in McDowell County while other team members are assisting with Logistics and have been briefed by FEMA Officials in Florida. (9/9/2024, PA-TF1)

Western North Carolina

Young Republicans – Volunteers with this group are helping with disaster relief by distributing MREs and water to impacted areas, led by Rep. Crutchfield. (9/29/2024, Young Republicans)

TENNESSEE

TEMA – Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and other official organizations are still in the LIFE-SAVING response phase after Hurricane Helene’s devastating flooding in East Tennessee. Conditions remain unsafe at this time. Knox and Sevier counties remain under FLOOD WARNING until 10:30pm tonight. For your safety and that of trained first responders, please do not collect unsolicited donated goods or travel to affected areas until TEMA gives the “all clear”. (9/29/2024, Amanda for TN)

VIRGINIA

Search & Rescue Operations

Fairfax – VA- TF1 / USA-1 – USAR teams began conducting surveys in the region hit by the storm, conducted searches for any victims, completed damage assessments, and reported damages, blocked roads, and other hazards. (9/27/2024 AM, VA-TF1).

(c) 2024 NW Fire Blog